Massachusetts woman climbs to the top in tree competition

What if someone told you when you were 6 years old that you could climb trees for a living? That dream is a reality for local couple, Marcy Gladdys, 26, and Ed Carpenter, 27.

Tanya Girgenrath

What if someone told you when you were 6 years old that you could climb trees for a living? That dream is a reality for local couple, Marcy Gladdys, 26, and Ed Carpenter, 27.

The pair of arborists met at Stockbridge, a front-running school for arboriculture at UMass-Amherst.

"He was an assistant teacher in my program, so he showed me the ropes - literally," Gladdys said.

Carpenter did a thorough teaching job, since Gladdys will represent this region at this weekend's International Tree Climbing Competition in St. Louis. The couple said between 7,000 and 9,000 usually attend.

The competition is part of a conference held annually by the International Society of Arboriculture. Now in its 32nd year, the contest includes five events, all of which are designed to simulate field conditions for working arborists:

Work Climb: Imitates tree care - for example, pruning. Aerial Rescue: Climbers are timed while they rescue a dummy from a tree. Belayed Speed Climb: Tests climber's speed when climbing a tree. Secured Footlock: Contestants must climb a rope using their feet to aid them. Gladdys was two seconds short of beating the world record in this event last year. Throw line: Competitors are given a set amount of time to set up throw lines to targets in the trees.

Gladdys, the womens finalist from this region, will face 66 competitors from around the world. Carpenter, who is the head technician for the aerial rescue event, will accompany her.

"On one hand it's a competition, but on the other hand it's just a big party. We get to experience a new place while seeing old friends," Gladdys said.

For the competitions, each region's representative must solicit donations from companies. Sponsors provide money for prizes, including cash and gear. This year, the New England chapter raised $12,000 - more money than all other regions.

Carpenter's employer, North American Training Solutions of Millis, and his own company, Core Ergonomic Solutions, were two of the sponsors. Sherrill Tree of North Carolina sponsored gear prizes.

International winners will receive a trophy and $30,000 in prizes.

It's not all fun and games for the couple - well, at least it's not all games.

"Tree care is one of the fastest-growing, multibillion-dollar industries, and people don't realize it. It's one of the few areas where people aren't being cut. There are plenty of open jobs, and they are all around the world. It doesn't get better than that," Carpenter said.

Gladdys is employed by Hartney and Greymont landscaping company of Needham, which works on shrubbery control, pruning and tree-removal.

"Urban forestry is really where arborists come in. A tree can be an asset or it can be a liability, depending on where it is," Carpenter said.

"Also, it's helpful to be in an area where people have higher incomes, which makes them more apt to spend money on their landscape," Gladdys added.

Not to mention the occasional cat rescue.

"Fire trucks won't go anymore. We get at least one call a weekend from people whose pet is up in a tree," Gladdys said.

However useful arborists may be, there are those who do not take the job seriously. Carpenter tries to put their misconceptions to rest.

"Trees are the oldest living organisms on this planet," he said, "and I feel it is a noble job to care for them."